Self-contained wine bottle foil and cork remover

ABSTRACT

A self-opening sealed container comprises: (i) a bottle having a tapered, hollowed neck; (ii) a compressed stopper-type closure (such as a cork) inserted within the neck of the bottle; (iii) a wrapper (typically made of foil) overlaying the stopper-type closure and extending along the outside of the bottle neck; and (iv) an elongated tab threaded through said stopper-type closure, underlying the wrapper, and extending beyond the wrapper on the outside of the bottle. Additionally, the end of the elongated tab can include some type of gripping means for a user to easily manipulate the present invention. Moreover, in order to prevent mischief and damage during shipment and the placement on store shelves, the gripping means on the end of the elongated tab can be sealed against the bottle itself behind an overlaying plastic wrap. The present invention permits for the use of a suitable, standard-sized cork; however, in order to facilitate the pulling of the cork from the neck of the bottle, the cork can be cross-sectionally split in one or more locations to decrease the force required by the user in removing the cork by pulling on the end of the elongated tab.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally directed to a self-opening, sealed containerhaving a stopper-type closure, such as a cork, which does not requirethe need for external cork openers, pulls and the like to be opened.More specifically, the apparatus and method of the present inventionprovides an easy to use means for removing a cork with little or noadded expense, while significantly reducing the risk of injuries.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The packaging of beverages, particular wine, has been performed forcenturies. One of the challenges presented in such packaging includedthe conflicting restraints of sufficiently and completely sealing theliquid contents to avoid spillage, spoilage or contamination, while, atthe same time, permitting the ultimate consumer to remove the closuremeans (e.g., the cork) when the product is ready for consumption.

Wine and related types of beverages have traditionally been packaged inglass bottles, and then sealed with a compressed cork made of naturalfiber. The bottler would typically cover the cork and, at least aportion of the bottle neck, with a metal foil that would also ofteninclude the name and location of the bottler. More recently, due to theescalating costs and availability of natural cork, bottlers have begunusing synthetic, plastic stopper-type closures to seal wine bottles andthe like. Moreover, the overlaying foil wrapper is sometimes replacedwith a wax seal over the cork. On lower quality wines, glass bottleshave even been substituted with plastics, cardboard boxes and otherinexpensive materials. Regardless of the types of bottles, corks,wrappers and the like utilized by various bottlers, there always remainsthe basic requirement to open the bottle prior to consumption. Somemanufacturers of lower quality wine have incorporated the use of“twist-off” caps or “flip tops.” However, most of the wine industrycontinues to use some type of corking technique.

No matter what materials are utilized for a stopper-type closure, sometype of external pull or corkscrew is necessary. Simply stated, unlessthe consumer has some type of remover readily available, the beveragecannot be consumed. Moreover, many types of cork removers are difficultto utilize, expensive to purchase, and pose a significant risk of injurywhen implemented, due to sharp edges and blades. In fact, most standardtypes of corkscrews do not incorporate any means to easily remove thefoil wrapper, which may be placed over the neck of a wine bottle. Userswill typically attempt to use a knife, their fingernails, or the sharpedge of the corkscrew to first remove the foil wrapper to access thecork itself. Numerous types of corkscrews and stopper-type closureremovers exist in the prior art. Most are mechanical in nature, but someeven require carbon dioxide canisters and other external means. Besideslower quality wines that incorporate the use of twist-off caps andflip-top boxes, no wines are presently sold that incorporate aneffective self-contained foil and cork remover.

When utilizing a standard corkscrew, a consumer must usually firstremove the overlaying foil wrapper over the cork. Sometimes, a separatecircular foil-cutting blade is utilized. After the foil wrapper has beenremoved, the consumer must carefully center the corkscrew beforetwisting it. If not carefully centered, the cork could fray within theliquid contents of the bottle, yet the cork could partially remain inplace. After sufficient twisting of the corkscrew, the user must exertsignificant upward pressure to remove the cork from the bottle neck.Often when the cork is released, the upward pressure results in spillageif the bottle is not tightly held. The user must also then twist thecork back off the corkscrew to discard the cork.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide anew and improved self-opening liquid container and a method of utilizingthe same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved self-opening container and a method of utilizing the same thatincludes means to remove both the stopper-type closure and theoverlaying foil wrapper.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved self-opening container and a method of utilizing the same thatis inexpensive and minimizes the risk of injury to the consumer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved self-opening container and a method of utilizing the same thatcan be utilized with any quality wine and regardless of the type of corkthat is implemented.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the specification and the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated and in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, an apparatus and method for providing a novelself-opening container having a stopper-type closure is described. Theself-opening sealed container comprises: (i) a bottle having a tapered,hollowed neck; (ii) a compressed stopper-type closure (such as a cork)inserted within the neck of the bottle; (iii) a wrapper (typically madeof foil) overlaying the stopper-type closure and extending along theoutside of the bottle neck; and (iv) an elongated tab threaded throughsaid stopper-type closure, underlying the wrapper, and extending beyondthe wrapper on the outside of the bottle. Additionally, the end of theelongated tab can include some type of gripping means for a user toeasily manipulate the present invention. Moreover, in order to preventmischief and damage during shipment of the product and the placement onstore shelves, the gripping means on the end of the elongated tab can besealed against the bottle itself by an overlaying plastic wrap.

The present invention permits for the use of a suitable, standard-sizedcork; however, in order to facilitate the pulling of the cork from theneck of the bottle, the cork can be cross-sectionally split in one ormore locations to decrease the force required by the user in removingthe cork by pulling on the end of the elongated tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the inventionherein, it is believed that the present invention will be more readilyunderstood upon consideration of the description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a self-contained wine bottle corkand foil remover, in its closed form, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the neck portion of theself-contained wine bottle cork and foil remover, in its closed form, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the neck portion of theself-contained wine bottle cork and foil remover, in a form wherein auser has begun to remove the foil wrapper, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the neck portion of theself-contained wine bottle cork and foil remover, in a form wherein thefoil wrapper has been removed and the cork is beginning to be removed,in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the neck portion of theself-contained wine bottle cork and foil remover, in a form wherein thecork has been removed, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cork of FIG. 5 taken alongcross-sectional line 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, a self-opening wine bottle assembly,generally designated 10, is shown that represents the preferredembodiment of the present invention. Wine bottle assembly 10 includes abottle 12 having a tapered and hollowed neck 14. A foil wrapper 16overlays bottle neck 14 and also overlays a substantial portion of anelongated cord 18. Elongated cord 18 extends, on the outside of bottle12, and concludes on one end in an optional gripping means 20, which isillustrated as a tied loop for finger insertion (as shown in FIGS. 3-5).FIG. 2 also illustrates bottle 12, neck 14, foil wrapper 16, elongatedcord 18, and gripping means 20. The bottom of bottle 12 is cut off todemonstrate that the bottle shape can take any desirable form. Moreover,although non-visible in FIG. 2, it is understood that a stopper-typeclosure, such as a cork, is contained within the hollowed portion ofbottle neck 14 to seal in the liquid contents of bottle 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, fingers 22 of a user are inserted withingripping means 20, and a force is applied (by the user) in a directionillustrated by directional arrow 24. As a slight force is asserted in anupward and outward direction, elongated cord 18 begins to tear foilwrapper 16. Eventually, as sufficient upward and outward force isapplied, the foil will be completely torn and can be easily removed frombottle neck 14.

After foil wrapper 16 has been removed, the user can continue to utilizeelongated cord 18 and gripping means 20 to remove cork 26 as shown inFIG. 4. As sufficient upward force, as reflected by directional arrow28, is applied, cork 26 will begin to become extracted from bottle neck14. FIG. 4 is reflective of cork 26 being partially removed from bottleneck 14.

Turning to FIG. 5, the continuing upward pressure has resulted in thetotal removal of cork 26 from bottle neck 14. Cork 26 could be astandard composite cork. However, through experimentation, the inventorof the present invention has determined that it is preferred that thecork be partially split in a cross-sectional direction. Cork 26 of FIG.5 includes two such partial cuts. The partial cuts in cork 26 permit theuser to exert less upward force when removing cork 26. The less forcerequired in removing cork 26, the less likely there is for injury to theuser or spillage of the contents of wine bottle 12. Elongated Cord 18 isthreaded through cork 26 in a manner to ensure that cork 26 does notbreak apart. FIG. 6 represents the preferred embodiment of the threadingof cord 18 through cork 26.

The aforementioned FIGURES have illustrated the most common utilizationof the present invention. However, numerous variations will be apparentto those skilled in the art and will be presented in the followingclaims. For instance, referring back to FIG. 1, shipment and display ofself-opening wine assembly 10 could cause concern amongst shippers andretailers based on the possibility of accidental pressure being appliedto gripping means 20, thereby slightly tearing foil wrapper 16.Consumers would be reluctant to buy wine that they could believe hadbeen tampered with or contaminated. Gripping means 20 can includeshrink-wrapped plastic to press gripping means against bottle 12 toavoid this potential problem. Moreover, the preferred embodiment hasbeen described wherein gripping means 20 is shown as a tied loop. Itwill become obvious to those skilled in the art that numerous otherpossible designs exist. For instance, a simple knot can be provided forthe user to grip. In a more detailed version, a plastic extender, suchas those utilized in standard blinds, could be hung from the knot toprovide even easier gripping by a user.

The use of elongated cord 18 threaded through cork 26 can beimplemented, and prove useful, even if the particular bottle does notutilize a foil wrapper. As long as elongated cord 18 extends through thetop of cork 26 and outward from bottle 12, a user can utilize it toremove cork 26 and enjoy the contents of bottle 12. Conversely, theremay be situations wherein elongated cord 18 is only utilized to removeoverlaying foil wrapper 16.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a new and improved self-opening, sealed container andmethod for using the same. While a specific and effective preferredembodiment has been described, numerous alternatives exist, and theapparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized in variouscircumstances. For instance, the present invention can be utilizedregardless of the composition of cork, regardless of whether or not afoil wrapper is incorporated, etc.

While there has been shown and described what is presently considered tobe the preferred embodiment of this invention, it will become obvious tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may bemade without departing from the broader aspects of this invention. Forinstance, while the description and FIGURES relate to a glass winebottle, the present invention can be utilized with any sealed containerutilizing a compressed, stopper-type closure inserted within a tapered,hollowed neck. The bottle itself can be made of plastic or any othermaterial. Moreover, elongated cord 18 can be made of natural orsynthetic fibers, or be comprised of a flexible metal wire. Moreover,the present invention is also useful in situations wherein cork issealed by a way top.

It is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changesand modifications as fall within the true scope and spirit of theinvention

1. A sealed container having an integral opener comprising: a bottle having a tapered, hollowed neck; a compressed, stopper-type closure inserted within said bottle neck; a wrapper overlaying said stopper-type closure and extending along the outside surface of said bottle neck; and an elongated tab threaded through said stopper-type closure, underlying said wrapper, and having an end extending beyond said wrapper on the outside of said bottle.
 2. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said bottle is comprised of glass.
 3. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said bottle is comprised of plastic.
 4. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said stopper-type closure is a natural cork.
 5. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said stopper-type closure is comprised of synthetic materials.
 6. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein the wrapper is comprised of a metal foil.
 7. The sealed container of claim wherein said elongated tab is a cord.
 8. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said elongated tab is comprised of a flexible metal wire.
 9. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said stopper-type closure comprises at least one partial cross-sectional cut, while remaining an integral component.
 10. The sealed container of claim 1 wherein said end of said elongated tab comprises user gripper means.
 11. The sealed container of claim 10 wherein said gripping means is a tied loop for finger insertion.
 12. The sealed container of claim 10 wherein said gripping means is a tied knot.
 13. The sealed container of claim 12 further comprising a plastic extender hanging from said tied knot.
 14. The sealed container of claim 1 further comprising a transparent overlaying cover to compress said end of said elongated tab against the outside of said bottle.
 15. A self-contained opener for a wine bottle comprising: a compressed, stopper-type closure inserted within the neck of said wine bottle wherein said stopper-type closure comprises at least one partial cross-sectional cut while remaining an integral component; and an elongated tab threaded through said stopper-type closure and extending to the outside of said wine bottle.
 16. The self-contained opener of claim 15 wherein said elongated tab is a cord.
 17. The self-contained opener of claim 15 wherein said elongated tab is comprised of a flexible metal wire.
 18. The self-contained opener of claim 15 wherein said end of elongated tab comprises user gripping means.
 19. A method for removing a stopper-type closure from the neck of a bottle wherein said stopper-type closure comprises at least one partial cross-sectional cut while remaining an integral component and further comprising an elongated tab threaded through said stopper-type closure with a first end extending to the outside of said bottle, wherein the method comprises the steps of: pulling said end of elongated tab in a direction away from the opening of said bottleneck.
 20. A method for removing a wrapper overlaying the outside of the neck of a bottle wherein said bottle utilizes a stopper-type closure with at least one partial cross-sectional cut while remaining an integral component and an elongated tab threaded through said stopper-type closure, underlying said wrapper, and having an end extending beyond said wrapper on the outside of said bottle, wherein the method comprises the steps of: pulling said end of elongated tab in a direction upward and outward from said wrapper. 